Philippine Recruitment Initiative – Last Arrivals

Larissa, Mae, Garry & son holding welcome sign at Winnipeg airport. — Pictured L-R: Larissa, Mae, Garry & son

With mixed emotions, Prairie Mountain Health embraced the last arrivals from the Philippine Recruitment Initiative (PRI). It has been a journey over the past few years for 28 healthcare workers who have travelled from the Philippines to settle in various areas of the Region. The last of the candidates arrived on January 21and 27.

Felicia Morales and her husband, Carlo Jay Pundol, along with Jackline Daguman all arrived on January 21and have settled into Dauphin. Felicia will be working as a Health Care Aide at the Dauphin Personal Care Home and Jackline as an Internationally Educated Nurse – Undergraduate Nurse Employee (IEN-UNE) until she completes the necessary training to be licensed as a Registered Nurse, also at the Dauphin Personal Care Home. Both began work on January 27.

Mae Flor Pamonag her husband, Garry, and 4-year old son arrived in Winnipeg on January 27. They will be settling in Brandon where Mae will work at the Brandon Regional Health Centre as a Supervised Internationally Educated Nurse – Licensed Practical Nurse (SIEN-LPN) position until she finishes the training to obtain a license as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Mae will begin work in early February.

PMH Recruitment Manager Larissa Kominko says as part of the overall Philippine recruitment initiative, 11 registered nurses, two licensed practical nurses and 15 health care aides (for a total of 28 new employees) were recruited to work in the health region. They have been located in various communities which include Dauphin, Brandon Hartney, Minnedosa, Neepawa, Russell, Swan River and Virden. The first arrivals to the health region under the initiative were in November 2023.

Larissa, Jackline, Felica & Carlo holding welcome sign at winnipeg airport — Pictured L-R: Larissa, Jackline, Felica & Carlo

Sexual Health Week is back with a new name and look: SexPlus Week!

Running from February 10th to 16^th, SexPlus is an annual awareness campaign dedicated to creating a future where sexual health is part of every conversation about health. SexPlus calls us to challenge misinformation, encourage curiosity, and dismantle barriers that keep people from accessing the knowledge, care, and freedom they deserve. There is no specific theme or topic to SexPlus Week; however, Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights is excited for people and groups to use the time to celebrate and share work already being done, whether that’s an already planned workshop series, an existing resource, or regular practices with clients. Please feel free to participate in any way that works for you. A social media toolkit will be available before the campaign launches at www.sexplusweek.ca, but if not, please visit Action Canada for sexual health & rights information.

Getting tested for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) is an important part of routine health care. Getting tested is important because it can help protect you and others. STBBI testing is available at physician clinics, nurse practitioners, teen clinics, and public health and primary care locations.

PMH Public Health and Primary Health Care offices.

During Sex Plus Week, Feb. 10^th-16th, PMH will be hosting a few different events:

Brandon:
- Assiniboine Community College – Feb. 12 from 12:30 pm-2:30 pm
- Neelin Teen Clinic from – Feb. 12 from 11:30 am-1:30 pm
- Brandon Correctional Centre – Feb. 11 & 14
Birtle: Outreach Van will be at the Birtle Pharmacy – Feb. 13 from 11:30-2:30
Erickson: Erickson Food Bank – Feb. 12 from 12:30 pm-3:30 pm
Swan River: Public Health Nurse will be available for testing at the SVRSS Teen Clinic on February 12 from 9am to noon.

Learn more about PMH’s Teen Clinics.

For more information, please visit Healthy Sexuality – Prairie Mountain Health

Take this job… and love it!

Do you need a job? Are you considering a new career path? Are you looking for fulfilling and rewarding work as part of a team?

No matter what type of career might interest you in health care, Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) likely has a position that fits the bill! There are hundreds of job postings across almost all healthcare sectors in PMH. The region posts all current job opportunities on its website and advertises extensively through its PMH social media framework and other external sources.

“We are always recruiting and continually reviewing our recruitment and retention strategies,” stated Treena Slate, PMH CEO. “We have many sites and facilities open 24/7, 365 days a year, so our needs are great. We are trying new things, getting the word out at events, networking and being seen. Plus, we’ve enhanced our workplace wellness initiatives to support our employees’ well-being. Staff are our most valuable and appreciative asset. In that, there is no debate!”

Human Resources Recruitment Supervisor Larissa Kominko says the healthcare workforce has many moving parts which contribute to numerous job vacancies

“Staff relocate to other areas, others retire, and some are on leave. For work-life balance, staff choose part-time positions over full-time opportunities. Positions also get filled internally, creating a domino effect and leaving another position open. So, our vacancy rates fluctuate at any time, and our job postings reflect that.”

Kominko says PMH offers the following as part of the PMH experience:

Competitive wages, paid vacation and income protection (sick time);
A comprehensive health benefits package, including a pension;
Employee wellness and well-being supports;
Incentive grants for identified occupations such as a $4,000 Conditional Grant for nurses to work in rural communities; a $4,000 grant for Health Care Aides to work in Personal Care Homes
Relocation Assistance;
Education support for employees seeking to enhance their learning or to advance their career;
Opportunities to learn and advance while working and living in great communities that provide exceptional lifestyle opportunities.

PMH undertakes several methods to promote healthcare careers. There are career presentations to various student groups and organizations, student practicums offered from multiple disciplines, and summer employment opportunities. There are also conditional grants offered in some areas for some hard to recruit to regional classifications.

“We often say recruitment is everyone’s responsibility because many times while recruiting to fill a healthcare position, a person’s spouse or significant other may also be looking for a job. And that might not be in health care. So, then you are partnering with communities, economic development departments, Chambers of Commerce and all those types of stakeholders to assist with mutually beneficial recruitment plans,” Kominko stated.

Many community foundations and local health care committees also offer bursaries for those entering healthcare fields. PMH sincerely thanks all local efforts to assist in workforce recruitment.

The region also participates in Take Our Kids to Work days and a Discover Health Careers (formerly Home for the Summer) Program for those already enrolled in a healthcare field. Volunteer opportunities at our sites can provide an introduction to the field for those who are curious about a career in healthcare.

A complete listing of current job postings and instructions on contacting PMH Human Resources is available by viewing the PMH website at www.pmh-mb.ca/careers.

In the meantime, you can do your part by helping spread the word about our job opportunities. If you have a family member going to school with plans to enter the healthcare workforce, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have a question about a job posting. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

PMH hosts medical students interested in rural medicine

Student doctors practicing medical procedures.

A record breaking 75 first and second-year medical students took part in a weekend workshop January 24-25 as part of the University of Manitoba’s student rural interest group. The student group (30 in Killarney and 45 in Brandon) split up into clinical workstations at each site and networked with other health-care professionals and community representatives. The Rural Interest Group (RIG) weekend promotes the benefits of practicing medicine in rural communities and available lifestyle opportunities. In 2024, PMH hosted 55 medical students.

The event is held in partnership with Health Careers Manitoba and the Max Rady College of Medicine, Faculty of Sciences. Student RIG Co-Presidents Regina Klassen and Caitlin Culleton say participants really enjoyed their time in the region.

“On behalf of the Rural Interest Group and the University of Manitoba Medical Classes of 2027 and 2028, we extend our heartfelt thanks to PMH for warmly welcoming us again this year. These events are invaluable for our education, offering students a first-hand understanding of rural medicine, opportunities to network with doctors and residents, and insights into working within the health region.”

PMH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Adrian Fung says the RIG workshop provides the health region with additional opportunities to engage medical students early in their training.

“We continue to have success with this proactive and student-led initiative,” Dr. Fung stated. “Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC) has been a mainstay for this workshop and the community of Killarney has also been a proud host in past years. The region participates in and explores many avenues of health-care provider recruitment. This event, and the Rural Week event in May are two that create a lot of interest and excitement every year!”

Health Careers Manitoba and PMH sincerely appreciate the support of regional physicians, staff and volunteers who helped make the RIG weekend a success. Sponsor support also came from the City of Brandon, Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, Killarney Foundation and The Machado Advisory Group.

Medical students learning techniques from Doctors.

PMH is getting set to host a second RIG workshop in Swan River from February 7-9. PMH anticipates another 20-24 students for the Swan River RIG initiative. The region is partnering with the Swan Valley Medical Professional Recruitment and Retention Committee to host the medical students.

January 2025 | Donations for PMH

Russell Health Centre Receives Donation

Darryl Fuz makes donation to Russell Health Centre staff — Pictured, at centre, is Darryl Fuz, GM of the Paterson Grain Terminal in Binscarth. Also from left are Rebecca Terleski (RN), Doctor Elhaji, Stacy Falkevitch (CRN) and Tracy Scott. *(Picture and files courtesy of the Russell Banner).*

The Paterson Family Foundation has once again stepped forward to provide a generous donation to the Russell Health Centre. The Foundation donated $10,000 to be used for emergency care and services at the Russell Health Centre, which includes the purchase of a vital signs machine and ring cutter. This marks the fifth consecutive year the Paterson Family Foundation has donated to the Health Centre.

Better Access to Groceries | B.A.G. Program

Recent news of scurvy in Northern Saskatchewan highlights the health inequity people who live in Northern communities face (1). People living in Northern Canadian communities have less fresh food available, and what is available is more expensive than in Southern communities (3). Northern communities also face barriers to transportation, medical services, social support, and more. In 2023, nearly 27% of Manitobans experienced food insecurity, meaning they worried about having enough food to eat (2). Food insecurity in Manitoba has increased since 2019 (2). In 2021, 47% of households from 92 First Nation communities surveyed experienced food insecurity. When asked, most adults in these First Nations households living on reserve wanted more traditional foods in their diet. However, there were many barriers to accessing traditional foods, such as industrial activities, climate change, cost, time, and knowledge. In Manitoba, 49% of these households worried that traditional foods would run out and getting more wouldn’t be possible (3).

Households can only experience food security when there is consistently enough acceptable, accessible food available that adequately meets physical, emotional, and spiritual needs (5). One way that the PMH Health Promotion team works to address food needs in Northern communities is the Better Access to Groceries (BAG) program. The BAG program serves Camperville, Pine Creek First Nation, and Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, communities with little access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The BAG program brings fresh fruits and vegetables into the community monthly at a reasonable cost to participants. The BAG program helps prevent health conditions like scurvy and supports health in ways such as improving nutrition, self-reliance, mental health, and overall well-being. Food insecurity is a complex problem, and while food banks and other food access services serve an immediate need for food, they do not solve the root cause of food insecurity.

Food insecurity in Canada is tightly linked to income (4). Households that rely on public income supports like social assistance or employment insurance are at a high risk for food insecurity. However, in 2022, 60% of food-insecure households reported that their main source of income was wages, salaries, or self-employment. Meaning that having a job is not enough to ensure enough income for food (4). Those renting rather than owning their home and households with children under 18 are more likely to be food insecure (4). Food insecurity in Canada is also tightly linked with colonization and privatization of land. These factors have affected Indigenous peoples’ ability to care for the land and support their communities physically, emotionally, and spiritually (3).

The PMH Health Promotion team works to support households in having adequate income through different initiatives, including:

Promoting Get Your Benefits! – Bringing awareness to the government benefits accessible to all Manitobans
Connecting people to the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, where eligible Manitobans can get their income tax done for free
Identification card clinics where individuals can apply for an ID card so they can then use the ID to apply for different social services
Tobacco reduction/cessation initiatives
Healthy Together Now projects involving gardening, cooking, and preserving
Cooking and budgeting workshops

References

Eating Disorders Awareness Week | February 1-7, 2025

For Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW), the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) works with organizations across Canada to develop a social media campaign. For 2025, EDAW’s theme is “Embracing Possibilities.” The theme highlights the current challenges with eating disorder care across Canada. The campaign also highlights resources and events across Canada available to individuals with disordered eating and eating disorders.

Currently, one-third of Canadians report thoughts and behaviours consistent with an eating disorder. Young Canadians and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community carry the greatest risk of developing an eating disorder. Recent surveys of grade 7 to 12 students in Ontario and BC found over half of the students have felt preoccupied by their weight. Nearly half of the students reported not eating in order to change their weight.

In 2023, nearly 27% of Manitobans experienced food insecurity, meaning they worried about having enough food to eat. People who experience food insecurity are more likely to experience disordered eating than those who do not experience food insecurity.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada has seen a significant increase in hospitalizations for eating disorders, with a 66% increase for females and a 47% increase for males. This highlights the greater need for earlier intervention for eating disorders. Even though rates of eating disorders keep increasing, research funding remains insufficient.

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) Health Promotion staff have been working on eating disorder prevention through several initiatives, including working with NEDIC on EDAW. EDAW helps bring awareness to the challenges and barriers of eating disorder care and recovery in Manitoba. Other ways Health Promotion staff promote eating disorder prevention include:

Empowered Eating – a group program for participants wanting healthier food relationships. For more information and to register, go to Public Classes – Prairie Mountain Health.
Presentations to high school students on eating disorders, body image, media literacy, and healthy relationships with food
Manitoba Eating Disorder Network – A network of healthcare providers to connect and share resources about eating disorders, as well as create resources to share with other providers
Work with parents, teachers, coaches, healthcare providers, and more to help kids and teens have a positive and healthy relationship with food and their bodies

If you, or someone you know struggles with disordered eating or an eating disorder and needs help:

(All ages) Call the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) helpline at 1-866-633-4220 or online chat
(18+ only) Call Women’s Health Clinic in Winnipeg for information and referrals at 1-866-947-1517 ext. 137
(All ages) Talk with your family doctor about the Health Sciences Centre Eating Disorder Program
(Age 14+) Get support at Body Peace Canada

References
Results of MHRC Poll 21 — Mental Health Research Canada
(PDF) The Big Picture: An overview of the 2023 BC Adolescent Health Survey provincial results
New data on household food insecurity in 2023 – PROOF
Mental Health Hospitalizations in Canadian Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults Over the COVID-19 Pandemic | Public Health | JAMA Network Open | JAMA Network

Prairie Mountain Health Welcomes New Year’s Babies | 2025

Dauphin Regional Health Centre

Dauphin Regional Health Centre welcomed Meena Millie Mousseau, born on January 1 at 12:44 am. Proud parents are Rochelle Mousseau & Leslie Guiboche of Ebb and Flow. Meena received a lovely gift package from the Dauphin Hospital Foundation. Congratulations from PMH.

Brandon Regional Health Centre

Brandon Regional Health Centre welcomed McKenna Janzen, born on January 1 at 4:51 am. Proud parents are Jessica & Thomas Janzen and big brother Rowan of Brandon. Mckenna received a lovely gift package from the BRHC Gift Shop & flowers from Carolyn’s Floral Designs. Congratulations from PMH.

Neepawa Health Centre

Neepawa Health Centre welcomed Mateja Waldner, born January 6 at 6:13 pm, weighing 8lbs 5 oz. Proud parents are Daniel and Kayla Waldner. Mateja received a lovely gift from the Neepawa Health Auxiliary. Congratulations from PMH!

Newly-trained Institutional Safety Officers begin at Brandon Regional Health Centre

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) is pleased to announce that newly-trained institutional safety officers (ISOs) have begun patrolling Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC). A formal ‘graduation ceremony’ for the 16 officers and one supervisor who were enrolled in the training program was held in Brandon on January 3.

ISOs are licensed as Peace Officers and, in health-care environments, have additional training in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques, search and investigative skills, evidence collecting and report writing. They also have training which allows them to accept a mental health patient from the police and then secure and protect them until seen by healthcare professionals. The newly-trained officers required established qualification and training/certification as a Manitoba Security Guard and that the candidate was already certified and trained as a Qualified Persons Security Officer (QPSO).

Prairie Mountain Health CEO Treena Slate says the addition of ISOs fills a critical role in upholding the highest standards of safety and accountability within PMH facilities.

“Safety of our staff, patients, residents and visitors is paramount. We continue to enhance efforts to balance the security needs of our facilities with the continued need to be a welcoming environment for those seeking care,” Slate stated.

Slate added that the advanced skill set for ISOs enhances PMH’s ability to support those in crisis and helps ease the burden on law enforcement, enabling a more collaborative approach to care and safety.

PMH anticipates two more BRHC participants will finalize their training through the program within the next four to six weeks. Training is completed in Brandon through a mix of new online education and in person education provided by Shared Health and PMH certified instructors, as outlined by Manitoba Justice

ISO guards will stand out differently as their body armor will have ‘peace officer’ designations, attributable to the guards being licensed by Manitoba Justice under the Police Services Act. ISO guards will also wear a different colour uniform shirt than the other levels of security guards. Up to four ISO guards per shift augmented by other PMH Security Guards on duty.

Institutional Safety Officers holding certificates — Prairie Mountain Health’s newly-trained institutional safety officers (ISOs) who have obtained certification and enhanced skills to patrol Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC). These officers are the first trained outside the city of Winnipeg under the ISO initiative and were presented with their certificates at a ceremony at BRHC on Jan. 3, 2025.

December 2024 | Donations for PMH

Crocus Court PCH Receives Donation

Jesus Dangat, Manager Health Services - LTC, Crocus Court PCH accepts cheque from Michelle Neepin, Office Clerk, Parkway Consumers Co-op — Jesus Dangat, Manager Health Services – LTC, Crocus Court PCH accepts cheque from Michelle Neepin, Office Clerk, Parkway Consumers Co-op Ltd.

On November 8th, Parkway Co-op held their second annual Cook-Off. Mariia Symiv was the Roblin First place winner in the perogy category. She chose Crocus Court as the recipient of the funds raised from the ticket sales. $1,030 was graciously accepted by Jesus Dangat, Manager Health Services – Long Term Care.